The Fitzwilliam Museum - University of Cambridge

54
Major Acquisitions
Ginger Jar and Cover
English, London, 1673–4
Maker’s mark of Jacob
Bodendeich (Lüneburg
1633/4–1681 London)
Silver, with chased decoration
H. over cover 47 cm. D. 28.5
cm.
Purchased from the Perceval and
Cunliffe Funds with grants from
The Art Fund, and the MLA/V&A
Purchase Grant Fund.
C.11 & A-2005
This ‘ginger jar’, formerly belonged to the
banker, Sir Ernest Cassel (1852–1921), a
keen sportsman and art collector, whose
superb collection of English silver was
purchased from a descendant by a
consortium of British museums in 2005.
It is a handsome example of the massive
ornamental silver vases which were
displayed on top of cabinets and
elsewhere in wealthy households during
the late seventeenth century, when silver
was used lavishly in furnishing. In
October 1683 John Evelyn remarked on
the ‘huge Vasas of wrought plate’ which
he had seen in the apartment of the
Duchess of Portsmouth in London (Diary)
The jar chased in relief with putti amid
scrolling acanthus foliage, possibly inspired
by printed designs engraved by Jean Le
Pautre or Polifilo Giancarli. Originally it
may have had a pair, or have been part of a
set of three. Its maker, Jacob Bodendeich
(also known as Bodendick), was born at
Lüneburg in Germany, where he served his
apprenticeship between 1650 and 1654.
He probably emigrated to England in the
late 1650s, but although he was granted
citizenship in 1661, did not become a
member of the Goldsmiths’ Company
until 1674. Bodendeich excelled at chasing,
and was one of the most skilful and
imaginative goldsmiths working in London
during the 1660s and 1670s.